Israel’s new Defence Minister Israel Katz has been sworn in before parliament, after his predecessor’s shock dismissal by the prime minister over a breakdown in trust during the offensive in Gaza.

Before taking over from Gallant, Katz — who vowed to defeat Israel’s enemies — was the foreign minister, with Gideon Saar appointed successor.

Katz’s last day as foreign minister was marred by a diplomatic incident with France, when Israeli police entered a French-owned church compound in Jerusalem and briefly detained two gendarmes.

The incident prompted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to abandon a scheduled visit to the site, the Eleona church compound in annexed east Jerusalem.

Speaking alongside Katz on Thursday, Barrot said “Israel has the right to defend itself” but pointed to “colonisation”, “humanitarian aid restrictions” and “the continuation of air strikes in north Gaza” as risk factors for Israel’s security.